Feedback and Learning

• Feedback is
  • about the past
  • Given in the present
  • With hope for the future

• Feedback works best when it is
  • Asked for
  • Credible
  • First hand
  • Timely
  • Separated from salary and promotion

• Need to make a contract (its a one-time contract); “Can we talk about how to work this out?” may work better than a request
• avoid labels
• neutral language
• behavior based; “I've observed…”
• get agreement on the data
• state the impact
• get agreement that it is important
• get data from more people
• test agreement on the data by stating a tentative conclusion
• test agreement on importance by stating a tentative conclusion

1. Make contact; e.g.“I want to talk to you about… Is now a good time?”
2. Describe behavior; ask for or offer data
3. State impact;
4. Describe request; e.g. “What can we do to rebuild?”

If you get what you want at any point in the above, stop. i.e. don't sell past the close.

Learning is a cycle of action –> feedback –> reflection –> action…

Recognize when you are in a situation where helping is beyond your expertise.